Car-telegraph



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. F. STEVENS.

. GAR. TELEGRAPH. N0. 425,466.

Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

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W. F. STEVENS.

OAR TELEGRAPH.

No. 425,466. Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

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\VILL IAM F. STEVENS,

PATENT OF JOPPA; MARYLAND.

CAR-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,46 6, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed June 26, 1889. Serial No. 315,630. (No model.)

To all whom it 12mg concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAMF. STEVENS, of Joppa, in the county of Hal-ford and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Telegraphs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawmgs.

The objectof my invention, stated in general terms, is to provide a telegraphic system by means of which communication may be reliably had between all trains of a railroadtrack, whether in motion or at rest, or be tween any train and any station along the track, or any other desired point.

My invention belongs to that class of cartelegraphs in which a main circuit is employed along the railroad-track and in which electrical connection is made between said circuit and ordinary telegraphic instruments upon a car.

I will first describe. my invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, and then succinctly sum it up in my appended claim, by which means it will be best understood.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a railroadtrack with cars upon it and electric appliances connected with a circuit beside the car. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a car electrically connected with a circuit beside the car. Fig. 3 is an end View of a car and means for electrically connecting it with a circuit beside the car. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of a car and means for electrically connecting it with the circuit beside the car. Fig.5 is a View of means for connecting a car and an electric circuit.

A indicates a railroad-track; 13, cars thereon, each provided with an ordinary telegraphic relay C, a sounder D, and a key E, for operating the relay and sounder.

The main-line circuit is composed of three conductors F G H. The conductor F is connected with the ground at one end and is open at the other end. The conductor G is connected with the battery F, and is open at the opposite end G. The conductor H is connected with the ground at 11 being open at the opposite end H I, K, and L indicate automatically-adjustable arms projecting from suitable supports 1 on the ear and hearing at their ends suitable contact-pieces M-such as wheels, brushes, or sliding bearings of usual character for making electrical contact between a moving car and an adjacent conductor.

Any suitable means may be employed for securing reliable electrical connection between the three conductors and the arms connectin g with the telegraph-instrunients in the car; but on Sheet 2, I have illustrated the means which I now prefer.

0 indicates a bar supported in slotted pendent supports P from the bottom of a car.

Q indicates a spring attached to the end of the bar and to the bottom of the car-frame and admitting of Vertical and horizontal movement of the bar.

R indicates a friction-roller bearing upon the top of the bar and supported by the carframe.

S in Fig. 5 shows wires that should be insulated and extend from the contact-pieces M to the electrical instruments in the car.

T indicates a local battery upon each car connected with the relay and the sounder. By arranging batteries in this wayone on the line and one upon each train or at each station Where there are operative instruments-no battery-power will be consumed, except when the line is actually used for telegraphing or telephoning, and all other times the circuits are open.

By using three conductors, each open at one end and one connected to a battery and the others to ground at the opposite end, I provide a 'main line perfectly adapted for securing reliable communication from one car to another on the track, or from one car to any desired point,- whether the car is in motion or at rest. Normally, when not telegraphing, the circuit connecting one train with another, or each train with any other point, is open through the conductor G. hen it is close the circuit and open it bythe use of the middle conductor Gr. The key, being normally open when not in use for telegraphing, is not disturbed bya telegram from a distant car or point, and such a telegram would operate the relay and sounder merely in the ordinary way.

desired to give a signal, it is only necessary to The middle conductor enables the key to be telegraph-key connected directly with the used and a message to be transmitted. It also adds electrical energy, and it is the means by which I get communication to any desired point from a car in which a key is used to connect the middle wire operatively with the circuit.

The three conductors F G H may be supported in any usual Way, either along the side of the track or overhead; but I prefer to locate them, as shown, along the side of the track.

What I claim is- In a car-telegraph, the combination, with a car provided with usual telegraphic instruments, of a main-line circuitcomposed of three conductors F, G, and H, the two conductors F and H being; connected to ground,

each at the end opposite to the other, and the conductor G being connected to battery and the battery connected to ground, all three of the conductors being open at one end and all.

W'ILLIAM F. STEVENS.

WVitnesses:

THOMAS C. HOPKINS, SAMUEL LEWIS GRIFFITH. 

